Feeding tube retaining strap

ABSTRACT

Retaining device on a single-port feeding tube connector for patient feeding set to prevent unintentional disconnect of the feeding solution supply tube from the feeding tube.

This is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/828,398, filed Jan. 30 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,073.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to retaining devices, in particular, it relates to retaining devices on a single-port feeding tube connector for securing patient feeding tube to feeding supply tubes.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the problems associated with patient feeding, whether enteral or parenteral feeding, is the unintentional disconnect of the feeding supply tube from the connector of an enteral or parenteral feeding tube.

This invention provides a retaining device for preventing the unintentional disconnect of a feeding solution supply tube from the connector of a feeding tube by providing a flexible locking strap on the connector, wherein the strap has an opening in which the supply tube is removably secured to prevent unintentional disconnect of the supply tube from the connector.

The connector may be a commercial single-port connector device which provides retention of the union between the female connector part on the feeding tube, and a male (luer) dispensing tip on the supply tube. The retaining device may also contain a plug normally used for stoppering the port of the connector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the retaining device of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the retaining device of this invention containing an additional plug secured to the connector;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the retaining device of FIG. 3, shown retaining a feeding supply tube in a single port connector; and

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the retaining device of FIG. 1, shown retaining a feeding supply tube in a single port connector.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The retaining device of this invention will be described with relation to a single-port connector.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a single-port connector 10, having a main port 11. A feeding supply tube 13 is in union with the connector 10 after being passed through an opening 14 in the flexible locking strap 16. The strap 16 is secured at one end 17 to the connector 10 (see FIG. 2). The locking strap 16 holds the supply tube 13 secure in the connector 10 by frictional engagement between the wall 18 of the opening 14 and the surface of the supply tube 13. The engagement may be on the lip 15 of the connecting end of the supply tube 13.

The locking strap 16 is shown with a plug 19 normally used for stoppering the main port 11 when the supply tube 13 is not in place in the port. Also attached to the connector 10 can be an additional conventional plug 20 secured to the connector 10 which can be used to close the main port or a secondary port.

To secure a supply tube 13 to the connector 10, the opening 14 in the locking strap 16 is stretched over the main port 11, and the supply tube 13 passed through the hole 14 in the main port 11. When the supply tube 13 is conventionally secured in the main port 11, the wall of 18 of the opening 16 is allowed to frictionally engage the lip 15 on the supply tube 13 to secure it in place to prevent unintentional disconnect from the main port 11.

Materials having the desired flexibility for the locking strap 16, such as polyvinylchloride and other polymers and the like, may be used in making the device of the present invention. 

We claim:
 1. A retaining device on a single-port connector of a feeding tube for preventing unintentional disconnect of a feeding solution supply tube from the single-port connector, wherein said retaining device comprises a flexible locking strap secured at one end thereof to a single-port connector and having an opening in said strap; said strap being adapted for having said supply tube passed through said opening and removeably secured by engagement of said supply tube and said opening to prevent unintentional disengagement of said supply tube from said single-port connector.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said locking strap contains a plug adapted for stoppering a port of said connector.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein said connector is a female connector and said supply tube has a male dispensing tip.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein said engagement of said supply tube and said opening is by frictional engagement.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein said engagement of said supply tube and said opening is by a lip on the connecting end of said supply tube.
 6. The device of claim 2 wherein said connector has an additional plug attached thereto. 